I have been a fan of Sterling Marlin's since his days of driving the Piedmont car number 44. He may not have had the best equipment but he never complained, he just went out and ran his heart out. He gave his owner everything he had and he gave his fans the same. In the twilight of his career he is being driven out of the sport. He is also being disrespected by his sponsor and his current owner.

He is driving for Chip Ganassi at least for the time being. He does not fit the market for Coors Light so he is being axed in favor of an untried,28 year old rookie. ASA and Busch R.O.Y. does not mean you will be the next big thing in Cup racing.

Dave Stremme is not ready for cup racing yet. He has not won in the Busch Series and yet Mr. Ganassi told the world that Stremme will win in NEXTEL Cup next year. That is quite a boast from Mr. Chip. Coors might want to sell to the younger crowd but in doing so it is burning its bridges with many who are out of their demographics that have drank Coors for years. I am sure many over 50 drink it more than the young guns do. I have even seen many a Junior fan dressed in red popping open a Coors at the track.

Chip and his business partner are offering Sterling a six figure deal to hang around with Chip Ganassi Racing and be an ambassador for the sport. To me it smells of a pay off. A pay off because they know CGR/Sabates will look bad if Sterling Marlin goes to another team does well and wins. It has been rumored that Marlin was offered a ride last year from an established team, but due to loyalty he stayed at CGR. Look where that Loyalty got him, out of his ride, and an offer to do nothing more but become a crony to CGR/Sabates.

This year Sterling started off the season well and in the top ten in points. That all changed after Sterling came out and told the media that he doubted he will be back in the Coors Light car in 2006. When he mentioned that Chip had not talked to him , things started going south.

His cars suffer from bad pit stops, engine troubles and failures that usually besiege second and third tier teams. I am not saying that the higher ups at Ganassi Racing are deliberately sabotaging the cars but the 40 car has become the un-official R and D car for CGR. They just haven't told Mr. Marlin yet.

I say to Sterling Marlin that many of his fans including me hope that he runs from CGR and sticks it to them at every turn. Don't take the money Mr. Marlin, take your talent , your drive and yes your fans to another team and prove that you don't need the CGR rocking chair.